Dutch Cycling Culture: Oh How I Miss Thee…
Sometimes a photo is enough. Or in this case, a compilation of photos by @monsieurballard
Category: Surprising encounters in an urban landscape
Bicycling and free beer in Bologna – a winning combo?
The Italian City of Bologna has found a fun way to incentive more sustainable transportation in cities – offering free beer, ice cream or cinema tickets to citizens who opt out of their cars and into the bus, on the bike or walking. Urban planner Marco Amadori designed the Bella Mossa scheme in 2017, which makes… Read More Bicycling and free beer in Bologna – a winning combo?
Mexico City: bicycle brigades to the rescue
**This is a guest blog post, written by Cynthia Menéndez, manager of WWF’s Sustainable Cities programme in México, including México’s participation in WWF’s One Planet City Challenge (or in Spanish: Desafío de Ciudades de WWF). Color, culture and diversity in Mexico’s largest city As one of the biggest cities in the world, Mexico City is full of… Read More Mexico City: bicycle brigades to the rescue
Stockholm: reflections & opportunities of living in an emerging cycle city
I love Stockholm life on a bicycle: for the exercise; for interactions with my city and fellow citizens; for the opportunity to witness ongoing changes in transport infrastructure – and improvements to cycle lanes. Not least for the chance to reflect on the splendour of autumn evenings. Below are a few thoughts from a recent… Read More Stockholm: reflections & opportunities of living in an emerging cycle city
Budapest swinging city
Budapest (population 1.7 million) is one of Europe’s most charming cities. It is divided by the Danube River, separating the city into the Buda hills and the Pest lowlands; eight bridges weave the two cities into one. It is home to lively city squares, walking streets, public markets, parks and gardens – becoming ever more common… Read More Budapest swinging city
Copenhagen: Rooftops as an extension of the public space
The Danish capital Copenhagen (population 760,000) offers numerous inspiring examples of how to create a sustainable city. Currently it is developing a new waterfront city district, Nordhavn, transforming an industrial port into a modern residential and business district. While still under development, interesting parts of the district are nearing completion, for example the district parking garage, Lüders P-hus.… Read More Copenhagen: Rooftops as an extension of the public space
Quito: mountains, history & a giant conference about cities
In October 2016, 40000 people gathered in Quito, Ecuador, for the United Nations Habitat III Conference. Unlike other UN processes that focus on national government engagement, “H3” also saw 5000 city leaders make their voices heard, meeting in Quito and Bogotá (Colombia) at related local government events. They did so to ensure the final document adopted, the… Read More Quito: mountains, history & a giant conference about cities
Budapest: Liberty Bridge becomes spontaneous public space due to construction
Budapest has long held a special place in my heart, more than just the home to my alma mater, Central European University. The city is incredibly beautiful and deeply creative when it comes to public space planning. It has an amazing bar scene that makes use of dilapidated buildings or unused lots, turning them into so-called ruin… Read More Budapest: Liberty Bridge becomes spontaneous public space due to construction
Reflections on Seattle’s #BlackLivesMatter Protest: How can we come together?
I’m often silent on #BlackLivesMatter. It’s not to say I don’t care; I care deeply. But what can I offer more than solidarity in sadness of lives unnecessarily lost? Then, on my bus ride home in Seattle last night, I stumbled upon a #BlackLivesMatter protest, in light of the recent tragic killings of Philando Castile, of Alton Sterling,… Read More Reflections on Seattle’s #BlackLivesMatter Protest: How can we come together?
Music, Dance, Theatre: just another day taking the Paris Metro
Paris, city of arts, culture, history, surprise… And one of the largest underground metro systems in mainland Europe. The Paris Metro contain 16 metro lines, with 300 stations, which cover 10×10 kilometres of central Paris. It is not only a public transport system though; it also features fantastic music and entertainment. However, in Paris (and many cities) these beautiful musical… Read More Music, Dance, Theatre: just another day taking the Paris Metro
The Urban Observer 